Smart packaging technologies such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) are on the rise. According to the Active and Intelligence Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA), demand for the containers in food and other industries will hit $3.5bn by 2017.
eAgile, a Michigan-based technology provider, has come up with eSeal, an RFID-enabled packaging technology. Used on food cartons, beverage bottles, and other containers, the technology is intended to ensure the safety of products, track temperature, monitor spoilage, combat fraud, and solve other tricky problems.
Growing presence
Gary Burns, CEO of eAgile, said it isn’t just consumers and food brands clamoring for the increased presence of smart packaging on retail shelves.
“Consumers and governments are demanding proof of safe and authentic products,” he said. “Our RFID-enabled caps and shrink seals allow manufacturers to achieve compliance while protecting the integrity of their brand.”
According to Burns, the eSeal RFID product enables food firms and other supply chain stakeholders to verify the authenticity and safety of products inside a package. Additionally, each tag has a unique ID for tracking information, with visual information (location produced, and time/date stamp) in addition to the RFID data.
Ease of use
Additionally, the technology has been engineered in a manner intended to make incorporation easy for food, beverage, and packaging companies. The company reports the eSeal line of closures and shrink seals can be introduced into a current packaging line with minimal changeover.
eAgile president Peter Phaneuf said in addition to putting vital product and safety information at the hands of producers and retailers, the technology also has customer engagement potential.
“As RFID devices become more prevalent, product-specific safety information will be provided directly to consumers at the point of purchase, in real time, using their smartphones,” Phaneuf predicted.